The Jorge Posada retirement press conference

Everyone is settling in here at Yankee Stadium, all getting ready for Jorge Posada’s retirement press conference. I’ll try to use this post to file some updates along the way, but if you’re around a television, the YES Network is scheduled to televise the entire thing. You can also follow along on your computer at MLB.com. The press conference begins at 11 a.m. ET.

UPDATE, 10:52 a.m.: Brian Cashman just walked in with a few members of the front office. The head table has spots for Jorge, plus his wife and two kids. The past five World Series trophies are on display, Posada pictures are all around the room and the place is packed. Might be
more people here than at the Pettitte retirement press conference.

UPDATE, 11:11 a.m.: Joe Girardi, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and CC Sabathia just walked in.

UPDATE, 11:13 a.m.: The Posadas have arrived. We’re getting started.

UPDATE, 11:14 a.m.: Hal Steinbrenner, Randy Levine, Lonn Trost and Willie Randolph are also here.

UPDATE, 11:16 a.m.: Posada: “I played baseball for the New York Yankees, and that’s all I could think of or dream of as a little kid.”

UPDATE, 11:18 a.m.: On the verge of tears throughout his opening statement, Posada finally started breaking down when thanking his parents. Followed with thanks for his wife and children for always making him smile.

UPDATE, 11:20 a.m.: Special thanks to Derek Jeter for helping him stay positive through this season. “Hopefully you won’t miss me that much,” Posada said.

UPDATE, 11:28 a.m.: Very nice comments from Thurman Munson’s wife, who said she’s loved two Yankees catchers in her life, and said Jorge is the reason she got back into baseball after her husband’s death.

UPDATE, 11:29 a.m.: Playing a video now with comments from fans and highlights from Posada’s career.

UPDATE, 11:48 p.m.: Posada said he never felt, in his head or heart, that he would want to play next season. He told his agents not to worry about getting offers. Sounds like the season ended with him fully expecting to retire.

UPDATE, 11:52 p.m.: Posada said he never felt really out of shape last season. He couldn’t keep up with the young guys, but he still felt good physically.

UPDATE, 12:03 p.m.: “Talking to my wife during the season and talking to Derek through the season, I knew that this was it. I told him and I told Laura that this was my last year, during the year.”